Steve Antonakes to take over as CFPB’s deputy director

The CFPB announced on Wednesday that Steve Antonakes, the agency’s acting deputy director, will officially serve as deputy director.

Before joining the CFPB as assistant director for large bank supervision in 2010, Antonakes began his career as an entry-level bank examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1990. He has served in a number of managerial positions, including deputy to former Commissioner of Banks and current Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry.

He was also appointed to serve as the Commissioner of Banks from December 2003 until November 2010—only the second bank examiner to ever serve in that capacity.

Additionally, he served as the first state voting member of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, vice chairman of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and founding member of the governing board of the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System.

A Penn State University and Salem University graduate, Antonakes also received NeighborWorks America’s Government Service Award for his work in combatting foreclosures in 2007. He also has a doctorate in law and public policy from Northeastern University.

“I am happy to announce that Steve will be the official deputy director of the Bureau,” CFPB Director Richard Cordray said. “He has adeptly led—and will continue to lead— our supervision, enforcement, and fair lending teams. Steve’s experience, his knowledge, and his judgment are vital in helping us achieve our mission of fostering a thriving, sustainable marketplace for both consumers and responsible businesses.”